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Nepal peace talks in '10 days' Nepal peace talks in '10 days'
(about 3 hours later)
Nepal's Maoist rebels have said they have agreed to hold a round of substantive peace talks with the government within 10 days.Nepal's Maoist rebels have said they have agreed to hold a round of substantive peace talks with the government within 10 days.
The rebels made this announcement after a meeting with the Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala. The rebels made the announcement after a meeting with the Prime Minister, Girija Prasad Koirala.
They said the meeting had helped to lift the atmosphere of mutual suspicion between the rebels and the government.They said the meeting had helped to lift the atmosphere of mutual suspicion between the rebels and the government.
Correspondents say the peace process has stalled after the two sides agreed to a ceasefire in May.Correspondents say the peace process has stalled after the two sides agreed to a ceasefire in May.
The rebels called a truce after King Gyanendra ended direct rule and restored parliament in April.The rebels called a truce after King Gyanendra ended direct rule and restored parliament in April.
The Maoists and a seven-party alliance of political parties clinched a landmark power-sharing deal in June.The Maoists and a seven-party alliance of political parties clinched a landmark power-sharing deal in June.
This latest meeting between the two sides was important because at times in recent weeks, the peace process here seemed virtually to have stalled.This latest meeting between the two sides was important because at times in recent weeks, the peace process here seemed virtually to have stalled.
The Maoists have moved many of their members and supporters into the capital.The Maoists have moved many of their members and supporters into the capital.
There have been continuing reports of the rebels using violence against those who do not submit to them, for instance, in allowing the formation of pro-Maoist trade unions.There have been continuing reports of the rebels using violence against those who do not submit to them, for instance, in allowing the formation of pro-Maoist trade unions.
'Summit talks''Summit talks'
The rebels have in turn accused the government of failing to abide by an agreement made in June.The rebels have in turn accused the government of failing to abide by an agreement made in June.
Under it, a new body was to have been formed to replace the restored parliament and the Maoists were supposed to be brought into an interim government.Under it, a new body was to have been formed to replace the restored parliament and the Maoists were supposed to be brought into an interim government.
None of this has happened and a row has broken out about when and whether the rebels should move into camps and disarm.None of this has happened and a row has broken out about when and whether the rebels should move into camps and disarm.
This new, top-level meeting has reportedly covered all such issues.This new, top-level meeting has reportedly covered all such issues.
Maoists' deputy leader, Baburam Bhattarai, told the BBC the was optimistic and that the atmosphere of suspicion had been lifted. The Maoists' deputy leader, Baburam Bhattarai, told the BBC that he was optimistic and that the atmosphere of suspicion had been lifted.
The two sides say they will hold formal top-level talks, known as summit talks, before Nepal closes down for its biggest religious festival in eleven days' time. The two sides say they will hold formal top-level talks, known as summit talks, before Nepal closes down for its biggest religious festival in 11 days' time.
Much hope is being pinned on those talks, but there are still major differences to settle.Much hope is being pinned on those talks, but there are still major differences to settle.
For instance, Mr Bhattarai said he expected them to resolve the issue of the monarchy's future, while the main parties in the governing coalition want that addressed in a future referendum or constituent assembly elections.For instance, Mr Bhattarai said he expected them to resolve the issue of the monarchy's future, while the main parties in the governing coalition want that addressed in a future referendum or constituent assembly elections.